Sliding recreational device

ABSTRACT

A sliding recreational device having a body, a seating area for a passenger, and a sliding pan mounted on the bottom of the body is disclosed. A cushioning element mounted in the body protects a passenger from injury while riding the device. By applying certain patterns to the bottom of the sliding pan, a stable, more predictable ride path is made possible for the rider. The addition of a system of pivoting braking elements and cabling enable a passenger to steer and brake the device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/221,568, filed Sep. 8, 2005 now abandoned whichis a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/440,904, filed May 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,706.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to recreational devices that can be used to slideon snow, ice, grass, or sand. More particularly, the invention relatesto a sliding recreational device or sled that provides protectionagainst injury, directional stability, and is capable of being steeredand braked by a passenger riding the on a slippery surface.

2. General Background and State of the Art

Devices that enable a person or persons to slide down a slippery surfacehave been known for many years, particularly devices that allowindividuals to slide along snowy surfaces. Such devices are many andvaried and include some well-known items such as a piece of cardboard,the so-called “flying saucer”, sleds, toboggans, inner tubes,snowboards, and skis, to name a few. Some are quite simple, whileothers, such as skis and snowboards, are expensive and complex andrequire time and practice to perfect their use. They offer varyingdegrees of comfort, safety, and maneuverability. Some of theshortcomings of the cardboard, flying saucer, sled, inner tube andtoboggan include the lack of cushioning elements to help prevent injuryto riders and the lack of the ability to slow or stop them. Many of theaforementioned devices could only be stopped by a collision or a loss ofmomentum, such as when a sloped surface flattens out for a long stretch.A rider would have to risk injury by using his or her hands, feet, arms,and legs to slow down or stop the device otherwise. Also, most of theaforementioned devices have no structures to help stabilize the pathtraveled by the device and thus the passenger is exposed to the riskthat he or she might suddenly veer off line into danger. Some otherdevices that are also of some relevance to the present invention will bedescribed here.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,455,571 to Dallera, et al., discloses an inflatable sledfor use on snow having two separate inflatable structures and tworunners mounted on the bottom. It also includes valving to regulate theamount of air between the two bodies and means to rigidly secure the twostructures together. The use of separate structures and the requirementfor balancing the air between the two structures adds complexity andexpense to the device. Dallera, et al., does not disclose a slidingrecreational device that uses a separate cushioning structure or has ameans of steering or braking the device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,399 to Reilly, et al., discloses a sliding toy foruse on snow or in water that is comprised of at least one inflatabletube and a covering which surrounds and encloses the tube. A passengersits on top of the covering and slides down a hill while holding ontosome handles attached to the covering. Reilly, et al., does not disclosea sliding recreational device that incorporates a separate cushioningmember, nor does it provide for any way to stabilize, steer or brake thedevice by a passenger.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,570 to Kehrmann discloses a relatively flat,circular fabric coated sled that has a raised cushioned seat in itscenter for sliding on a snow or ice covered hill. A passenger sits ontop of the cushioned seat and slides down a snow-covered hill whileholding onto handles that are attached to the fabric. Kehrmann does notdisclose a sliding recreational device that incorporates any means ofstabilizing, steering, or braking the device by the passenger.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,128 to Schmick discloses a recreational device thatuses an enhanced inner tube that is filled with a material so that theinner tube never needs to be inflated. The purpose of the Schmickinvention is to overcome problems with deterioration inherent in innertubes due to UV exposure and tearing hazards. Schmick does not disclosea recreational sliding device having a separate cushioning structure ora means to stabilize, steer or brake the device by a passenger.

A product called the Moore 42XB (also called “Snow Tube”) is currentlybeing sold on the market. This device basically consists of a standardinner tube covered by a fabric. It is designed so that a passenger sitsin the middle of the hole in the inner tube to slide down a snowy hill.The Moore 42XB does not disclose a sliding recreational device that hasa separate cushioning structure to reduce the possibilities of injury tothe passenger, nor does it disclose any means of stabilizing, steering,or braking the device by the passenger.

None of the prior art references suggest the use of a cushioning featurein combination with a recreational sliding device having a passengeroccupancy area formed by a single structure body of the sliding device.

None of the prior art references suggest the use of directional orrotational stabilizing elements in combination with a recreationalsliding device having a passenger occupancy area formed by a singlestructure body of the sliding device.

None of the prior art references suggest the use of a separate slidingelement in combination with a recreational sliding device having apassenger occupancy area formed by a single structure body of thesliding device.

None of the prior art references suggest the use of a steering mechanismin combination with a recreational sliding device having a passengeroccupancy area formed by a single structure body of the sliding device.

None of the prior art references suggest the use of a braking mechanismin combination with a recreational sliding device having a passengeroccupancy area formed by a single structure body of the sliding device.

There is no recreational sliding device incorporating a single bodystructure, a separate sliding surface, a passenger cushioning element,and a directional or rotational stabilizing structure formed by patternson the sliding surface.

There is no recreational sliding device incorporating a single bodystructure, a separate sliding surface, a passenger cushioning element,and a steering/braking mechanism.

None of the above patents or products, taken singularly or incombination, is seen to describe the present invention as disclosed andclaimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a recreationalsliding device that incorporates a passenger cushioning element into apassenger occupancy area formed by the body of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a recreational slidingdevice that incorporates a separate sliding surface attached to the bodyof the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a recreational slidingdevice that provides stabilizing groove patterns incorporated into theseparate sliding surface of the device.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a recreationalsliding device that incorporates a steering and braking mechanism intothe device.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a recreationalsliding device that can easily be steered and braked by a passengerwithout requiring the passenger to expose his or her arms, legs, feet,and/or hands to injury.

Another object of the invention is to provide a recreational slidingdevice that may be constructed from readily available parts.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a recreationalsliding device that is durable and easy to transport.

These and other objectives are achieved by the present invention, which,in a broad aspect, provides the user with a safe, fun, comfortable,reliable, stable, steerable, and brakable recreational sliding devicethat is durable and easy to fabricate and use.

A device according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventionprovides a recreational sliding device comprising a body that isgenerally annular in shape and forms an area that is suitable for apassenger to occupy. A sliding pan is positioned at the bottom of thesliding device and a seating platform is positioned on top of thepassenger occupancy area. Prior to securing the seating platform and thesliding pan to the body, a cushioning element is mounted inside thepassenger occupancy area. Straps are extended between the seatingplatform and the sliding pan along the outer surface of the body tosecurely hold the sliding pan and the seating platform in place. Apassenger sits or lays on the seating platform after maneuvering thedevice to the top of a snow-covered hill, for example, and pushes off tobegin the ride. The passenger use the attachment straps as handholds, orthe sliding device can be provided with a number of handles mounted onthe body to help hold the passenger on the device during the ride.

The lower side of the sliding pan (the side facing away from the body)can be configured in a number of ways. A plain, curving surface on thelower side of the sliding will provide a fun experience for a passenger,but the path traveled by the device may prove to be unpredictable. Byproviding rounded grooves, zig-zag grooves, or opposed concentric arcgrooves on the lower side of the sliding pan, a more stable, but stillfun, ride may be experienced. The pattern on the lower side of thesliding pan will tend to make the device travel on a straighter path andalso reduce the tendency of the device to spin.

In another embodiment of the device, a steering and braking system canbe incorporated into the sliding device to enhance its safety andversatility. In the present invention, steering and braking are madepossible by mounting a number of pivoting paddles on the lower face ofthe sliding pan. At the start of the ride, these paddles are positionedagainst the lower face of the sliding pan. The paddles are connected bycables to control levers (much like the control levers used for brakingon a bicycle) that are mounted adjacent to the handles. By applyinggripping pressure to one of the control levers, the paddle that isoperatively connected to that control lever is lowered and causes dragto one side of the sliding device. This drag force will cause the deviceto turn in the direction of that paddle.

In one embodiment of the invention, two braking paddles are provided,one on the right side and one on the left side of the device.Corresponding control levers are mounted 180 degrees from each other onthe body adjacent to two handles. When the passenger wants the device toturn to the right as it is traveling down a slope, applying a grippingforce to the control lever on the passenger's right will cause thepaddle on the bottom right of the sliding pan to extend away from thesliding pan and cause a dragging force on that side. This action makesthe device turn to the right. By changing the intensity and duration ofthe gripping force, a small or large adjustment to the ride path can bemade by the passenger. For a left turn, the control lever on thepassenger's left side is operated in a manner similar to that for makinga right turn.

The same mechanism that allows the passenger to make right or left turnsas he or she is riding down a slope also allows the passenger to slow orstop the device. In the embodiment of the invention described aboveincorporating two control levers, simultaneous application of equalgripping pressure to both the right and left gripping levers will causeboth of the paddles to extend and the resulting drag force will beequally applied, thus slowing the device. Continuous gripping pressureapplied to the control levers will allow the passenger to bring thedevice to a stop.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments,which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, willillustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will be betterunderstood from the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary deviceaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary device accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an exemplary device according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of an exemplary device according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates a sectional side view taken along line 4B-4B in FIG.3 of an exemplary device according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the sliding pan of the presentinvention showing a plain rounded surface in the bottom face of thesliding pan;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate side view of the sliding pan to thepresent invention showing rounded corrugations in the bottom face of thesliding pan;

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate side view of the sliding pan of thepresent invention showing zig-zag grooves in the bottom face of thesliding pan;

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate side view of the sliding pan of thepresent invention showing a pattern of opposed concentric arc grooves inthe bottom face of the sliding pan;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the sliding pan of the presentinvention showing the steering and braking system;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the sliding pan of the presentinvention showing a paddle extended in the steering mode;

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the sliding pan of the presentinvention showing multiple paddles extended in the braking mode;

FIG. 12 illustrates a detail taken at circle 12 in FIG. 9 of themounting of a steering/braking paddle to the sliding pan of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a sectional view taken at circle 13 in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 14 illustrates a sectional view taken at circle 14 in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of the present invention, reference is madeto the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and in whichare shown, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments illustratingthe principles of the present invention and how it may be practiced. Itis to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized to practicethe present invention and structural and functional changes may be madethereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

A sliding recreational device, or sled, is embodied in an assemblygenerally referred to by the reference numeral 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Abody 12 includes a perimeter 14, top surface 16 and bottom surface 18.In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the body is generallyannular in shape, such as a common inflatable inner tube, such as a 48″diameter inner tube produced by International Tire and Tube of Houston,Tex. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that body 12could take on a variety of configurations comprised of straight andcurving shapes, without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. The body forms a passenger occupancy area 20, in which isattached a high density foam cushion 28 to protect a passenger fromlower spinal injuries.

Body 12 is fitted into a pan-shaped sliding pan 22 at bottom surface 18.The sliding pan 22 is preferably constructed of lightweight plastic ormetal. Sliding pan 22 has top face 24 which abuts bottom surface 18. Inthe preferred embodiment of the invention, cushion 28 is glued to topface 24 of sliding pan 22. In embodiments where passenger occupancy area20 does not extend completely through body 12, cushion 28 may beattached to body 12 within passenger occupancy area 20.

Bottom face 26 of sliding pan 22 may take on a number of configurations.It may be smooth or contain a pattern to provide directional stabilityfor sled 10 while in use. FIGS. 6 and 13 illustrate rounded grooves 38on bottom face 26. FIGS. 7 and 14 show a pattern of zig-zag grooves 40on bottom face 26 as an alternative pattern. Bottom face 26 mayalternatively contain a pattern of opposed concentric arc grooves asshown in FIG. 8. Any of these configurations will enable sled 10 toachieve directional and rotational stability while in use, as they actas runners in snow to reduce the tendency of the sled to spin.

Seating platform 30 is a fabric seat mounted on top surface 18. Seatingplatform 30 is preferably a soft cross-linked polyolefin manufactured byStanlar Engineering of Bloomfield, N.J. Seating platform 30 has adimpled area formed in the seat surface to keep a passenger from slidingoff of sled 10 when in use. Seating platform 30 also contains aplurality of holes in a diametral pattern fitted with metal or plasticgrommets 34 for purposes of securing seating platform 30 to body 12.Sliding pan 22 has a pattern of holes fitted with grommets 36 identicalto grommets 34 of seating platform 30 for the same purpose. In thepreferred embodiment, grommets 34 and 36 are ¾″ diameter grommetsproduced by McMaster-Carr. A single water-resistant strap 32 is loopedthrough grommets 34 and 36 to tightly secure seating platform 30 andsliding pan 22 to body 12. While the preferred embodiment of theinvention utilizes a single continuous strap 32, it will be appreciatedthat a number of shorter straps could be used to achieve the samepurpose. Strap 32 could also be used by passenger 64 as handles tofurther secure him or her to sled 10 while it is in use. Strap 32 couldalso serve as a means of towing sled 10 when not in use, or tow rope 62,as shown in FIG. 2, could be used for the same purpose.

The embodiment of the invention described heretofore provides apassenger with a unique experience. Ride stability and passenger safetyare enhanced by several features incorporated in the present invention.A second embodiment of the invention adds the ability to steer and brakethe device, features also not found in prior art sliding recreationaldevices.

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate the mechanism incorporated in the presentinvention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that otherconfigurations for steering and braking of the device are possiblewithout departing from the scope of the present invention. Paddles 52mounted on sliding pan 22 provide passenger 64 with the ability to steerand brake sled 10. In the present invention, I have shown two paddlesspaced apart towards the rear of sliding pan 22, although sled 10 couldbe configured with more than two paddles, without departing from thescope of my invention. In their stowed position, paddles 52 rest againstsliding pan 22. Passenger 56 operates paddles 52 for steering andbraking by gripping one or both control levers 46 which are locatedadjacent to handles 44 on body 12. Control levers 46 operate in a mannersimilar to braking levers found on many bicycles. In the presentembodiment of the invention, handles 44 are located 180 degrees fromeach other. Control levers 46 are operatively connected by cables 48 topaddles 52, as illustrated in FIG. 9. By applying gripping pressure toeither or both of control levers 46, passenger 56 can control thesteering and speed of sled 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 12, pivot mount 50 is fastened to theinside of sliding pan 22, one pivot mount 50 for each of the right andleft sides. Pivot mount 50 has a hole in which is inserted pivot pin 54.Extension spring 60 connects at the top of the bellcrank portion ofpaddle 52 by means of retainer pin 58 in mount 50. Spring 60automatically returns paddle 52 to its stowed position when passenger 64releases pressure from lever 46. One end of cable 48 connects to lever46. The other end of cable 48 connects to pin 56, which is the same pinthat spring 60 is connected to. Lever 46 is fastened to handle 44.

When passenger 64 wishes to steer sled 10 to the right, he or sheapplies gripping pressure to control lever 46 located on the right sideof body 12. Right and left sides in this discussion are taken from thepassenger's perspective, which is facing forward along the path oftravel. The application of gripping pressure to control lever 46 on theright side of body 12 pulls on the bellcrank portion of paddle 52,causing it to extend below bottom face 26 of sliding pan 22 whilepivoting on pin 54. In this extended position, paddle 52 causes a dragforce to be applied to the right side of sled 10, which causes sled 10to turn towards the right. The degree to which sled 10 turns depends onhow long passenger 64 applies the gripping force; the longer theapplication of the gripping force, the greater the turn. To stop furtherturning, passenger 64 releases control lever 46, which in turn causesreturn spring 60 to pull paddle 52 back to the stowed position in thebottom of pan 22. To produce a left turn, passenger 64 uses controllever 46 located on the left side of body 12. Through the use of controllevers 46 on the right and left sides of body 12, passenger 64 canmaneuver sled 10 along whatever path he or she chooses, thus addinggreatly to the ride experience.

Slowing and stopping sled 10 can also be accomplished through thesimultaneous operation of control levers 46. To reduce the speed of sled10 during a ride, passenger 64 applies gripping pressure equally to boththe right and left side control levers 46 to cause paddles 52 to extendand apply drag forces. Because the drag force is distributed equally toboth right and left sides of sled 10, the simultaneous application ofgripping pressure to control levers 46 will cause sled 10 to slow whilecontinuing along its ride path. Continuous application of grippingpressure to control levers 46 will gradually slow sled 10 to a stop. Bybeing able to adjust the speed of sled 10 during the ride, passenger 64is able to enhance his or her ride experience while also being providedwith a safer ride.

The details of construction of rounded grooves 38 are more clearly shownin FIGS. 6 and 13. Rounded grooves 38 are made up of a parallel patternof undulating, smoothly curved arcs, with rounded concave arcs 70, eachhaving a radius 74, and each followed by a rounded convex arc 72 havinga radius 76. Each radius 74, which ranges from 0.25 inches to 1.00inches, intersects a radius 76 at a tangent point 78. If constructionlines 84 are drawn from the tangent point 78 of any of the radii to theaxis 82 (axis 82 being defined as a line drawn from the radial point 86of an arc through the center of the arc), the included angle 80 will be90 degrees.

The details of construction of zig-zag grooves 40 are shown more clearlyin FIGS. 7 and 14. Zig-zag grooves 40 are made up of a parallel patternof undulating flat, angled surfaces. As illustrated in FIG. 14, eachgroove includes a pair of faces 98 intersecting at either an outsidecorner 94, or an inside corner 96. Depth 90 is preferably is 0.5 inches,but may range between 0.25 inches to 1.5 inches. Included angle 92, inthe preferred embodiment of the invention, is 90 degrees. It has beenfound that zig-zag grooves 40 provides very good gripping action on snowand provides very good stability for sled 10.

An alternative construction on bottom face 26 is illustrated in FIG. 8in the form of opposed concentric grooves 42. The pattern of grooves 42consists of undulating flat angled surfaces or undulating smoothlycurved surfaces. This pattern of opposed concentric grooves 42 includesa first arc groove set 110 and a second arc groove set 112. First arcgroove set 110 is constructed on bottom face 26 so that the largestdiameter arc, first primary arc 116, lies tangent to centerline 60 ofsliding pan 22. First arc groove set 110 includes secondary arc grooves120, which are concentric with first primary arc 116.

Second arc groove set 112 includes second primary arc 118 and concentricsecondary arc grooves 122 and is constructed on bottom face 26 so thatsecond arc groove set 112 is a mirror image of first arc groove set 110in relation to centerline 60. The inclusion of opposed concentric arcgrooves 42 on sled 10 allows a rider to steer by leaning in onedirection or the other. As more of the rider's weight is applied towardsone set of arc grooves, those grooves would tend to direct sled 10 inthat direction. Arc grooves 42 may be rounded (as in rounded grooves 38)or zig-zag (as in zig-zag grooves 40) in configuration, as well astaking on other shapes.

The foregoing descriptions of the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of enablement, illustration,and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive of or to limit thepresent invention to the precise forms discussed. There are, however,other configurations for recreational sliding devices not specificallydescribed herein, but with which the present invention is applicable.The present invention should therefore not be seen as limited to theparticular embodiments described herein; rather, it should be understoodthat the present invention has wide applicability with respect torecreational sliding devices. Such other configurations can be achievedby those skilled in the art in view of the description herein.Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the followingclaims.

1. A sliding recreational device comprising: a body having a top surfaceand a bottom surface and an outer perimeter configured to form apassenger occupancy area; a sliding pan having opposed top and bottomfaces, said top face attached to said bottom surface of the body, saidbottom face of the sliding pan having a pattern of raised and loweredareas on it, wherein said pattern is in the form of rounded grooves,said rounded grooves comprising: a parallel pattern of undulatingsequential concave and convex curved arcs intersecting at tangentpoints, each of said arcs having a radius and an axis of the radius,whereby, if two construction lines are drawn through the tangent pointsof any two successive tangents, the included angle formed where theconstruction lines intersect the axis of the radius is 90°; a cushioningpad attached within said passenger occupancy area; and a seatingplatform attached to said top surface of the body.
 2. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said pattern, rather than being formed ofrounded grooves, is formed of zig-zag grooves, said zig-zag groovesfurther comprising: a plurality of pairs of faces intersecting at acorner, said intersection of said pairs of faces and said corner forminga 90° angle; and a depth of grooves ranging between 0.25 inches to 1.5inches.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said bottom faceincludes a centerline and said pattern rather than being formed ofrounded grooves, comprises: a first set of concentric arc grooves havinga first primary groove and a plurality of secondary grooves, whereinsaid first primary groove is tangent to said centerline; and a secondset of concentric arc grooves having a second primary groove and aplurality of secondary grooves, wherein said second primary groove istangent to said centerline, and wherein said second set of concentricarc grooves is a mirror image of said first set of concentric arcgrooves.
 4. A sliding recreational device comprising: a body having atop surface and a bottom surface and an outer perimeter configured toform an opening extending through the body, said opening forming apassenger occupancy area; a sliding pan having opposed top and bottomfaces, said top face attached to said bottom surface of the body, saidbottom face of the sliding pan having a pattern of raised and loweredareas on it, wherein said pattern is in the form of rounded grooves,said rounded grooves comprising: a parallel pattern of undulatingsequential concave and convex curved arcs intersecting at tangentpoints, each of said arcs having a radius and an axis of the radius,whereby, if two construction lines are drawn through the tangent pointsof any two successive tangents, the included angle formed where theconstruction lines intersect the axis of the radius is 90°; a cushioningpad attached within said passenger occupancy area; and a seatingplatform attached to said top surface of the body.
 5. The deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein said pattern, rather than being in theform of rounded grooves, is formed of zig-zag grooves, said zig-zaggrooves further comprising: a plurality of pairs of faces intersectingat a corner, said intersection of said pairs of faces and said cornerforming a 90° angle; and a depth of grooves ranging between 0.25 inchesto 1.5 inches.
 6. The device according to claim 4, wherein said bottomface includes a centerline and said pattern, rather than being in theform of rounded grooves, comprises: a first set of concentric arcgrooves having a first primary groove and a plurality of secondarygrooves, wherein said first primary groove is tangent to saidcenterline; and a second set of concentric arc grooves having a secondprimary groove and a plurality of secondary grooves, wherein said secondprimary groove is tangent to said centerline, and wherein said secondset of concentric arc grooves is a mirror image of said first set ofconcentric arc grooves.
 7. A sliding recreational device comprising: anannular-shaped body having a top surface and a bottom surface and anouter perimeter configured to form a passenger occupancy area; a slidingpan having opposed top and bottom faces, said top face attached to saidbottom surface of the body, said bottom face of the sliding pan having apattern of raised and lowered areas on it, wherein said pattern is inthe form of rounded grooves, said rounded grooves comprising: a parallelpattern of undulating sequential concave and convex curved arcsintersecting at tangent points, each of said arcs having a radius and anaxis of the radius, whereby, if two construction lines are drawn throughthe tangent points of any two successive tangents, the included angleformed where the construction lines intersect the axis of the radius is90°; a cushioning pad attached within said passenger occupancy area; anda seating platform attached to said top surface of the body.
 8. Thedevice according to claim 7, wherein said pattern, rather than beingformed of rounded grooves, is formed of zig-zag grooves, said zig-zaggrooves further comprising: a plurality of pairs of faces intersectingat a corner, said intersection of said pairs of faces and said cornerforming a 90° angle; and a depth of grooves ranging between 0.5 inchesto 1.5 inches.
 9. The device according to claim 7, wherein said bottomface includes a centerline and said pattern, rather than being formed ofrounded grooves, comprises: a first set of concentric arc grooves havinga first primary groove and a plurality of secondary grooves, whereinsaid first primary groove is tangent to said centerline; and a secondset of concentric arc grooves having a second primary groove and aplurality of secondary grooves, wherein said second primary groove istangent to said centerline, and wherein said second set of concentricarc grooves is a mirror image of said first set of concentric arcgrooves.
 10. A sliding recreational device comprising: a sliding panhaving opposed top and bottom faces said bottom face of the sliding panhaving a pattern of raised and lowered areas on it, wherein said patternis in the form of rounded grooves, said rounded grooves comprising: aparallel pattern of undulating sequential concave and convex curved arcsintersecting at tangent points, each of said arcs having a radius and anaxis of the radius, whereby, if two construction lines are drawn throughthe tangent points of any two successive tangents, the included angleformed where the construction lines intersect the axis of the radius is90°, and a cushioning pad attached to said top face.
 11. The deviceaccording to claim 10, wherein said pattern, rather than being formed ofrounded grooves, is formed of zig-zag grooves, said zig-zag groovesfurther comprising: a plurality of pairs of faces intersecting at acorner, said intersection of said pairs of faces and said corner forminga 90° angle; and a depth of grooves ranging between 0.25 inches to 1.5inches.
 12. The device according to claim 10, wherein said bottom faceincludes a centerline and said pattern, rather than being formed ofrounded grooves, comprises: a first set of concentric arc grooves havinga first primary groove and a plurality of secondary grooves, whereinsaid first primary groove is tangent to said centerline; and a secondset of concentric arc grooves having a second primary groove and aplurality of secondary grooves, wherein said second primary groove istangent to said centerline, and wherein said second set of concentricarc grooves is a mirror image of said first set of concentric arcgrooves.